Elijah Cummings Lies In State; “Universally Respected And Admired In A Divided Time”

It was a somber day in Washington as Elijah Cummings remains were brought to the Capitol to lie in state. Cummings is the first African American to receive the honor.  Thousands of people lined up to pay their respects. Cummings died on October 17, at age 68.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was among those eulogizing the late Baltimore Congressmen (watch above):

“Elijah was truly a master of the House. He respected its history and in it, he helped shape America’s future. I have called him our Northstar, our guide to a better future for our children.”

Republican Mark Meadows and Cummings shared a special, across the aisle friendship and the North Carolina Congressman emphasized that today:

“Perhaps, this place and this country would be better served with a few more unexpected friendships. I know I’ve been blessed by one”

And Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer added that he was “universally respected and admired in a divided time. His voice could shake mountains, stir the most cynical hearts, inspire us all to be better.”

And Politico notes:

One of the most powerful tributes came from House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the nation’s highest-ranking black official, who touted that he and Cummings’ shared roots in South Carolina, where they both grew up as “PKs — preachers kids.”